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INTERIM STUDY REPORT
Judiciary Committee
Rep. Fred Jordan, Chairman
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Interim Study 11-070, Rep. Emily Virgin
October 17, 2011
Support alimony statutory guidelines
Representative Emily Virgin
emily.virgin@okhouse.gov
• The study concerns the possibility of implementing guidelines when ordering support alimony.
• Introduced the speakers and presenters.
Keith Jones, Attorney at Law
Tulsa, OK
kajoneslaw@gmail.com
• Alimony is discretionary. The test to determine if support alimony is appropriate is whether
there is a need, rationally related to the marriage, and an ability to pay.
• Provided an overview of types of alimony.
o Rehabilitative alimony allows the spouse to rehabilitate themselves, such as going back
to school, in order earn a living.
o Mode of living alimony is awarded to allow a spouse to continue on living as when he
or she were was during the marriage.
• Detailed the Peyraby case which exemplifies the problem with alimony. The case went to the
Supreme Court, but the Court did not establish how to determine a fair amount of support
alimony.
• The problem with alimony in Oklahoma is that citizens have no expectation of what is a
reasonable amount of alimony based on the facts.
• Recommended that a social contract is needed to establish a formula to avoid litigation.
• Johnson County in Kansas has established such guidelines.
Rees Evans, Attorney at Law
Oklahoma City, OK
rees.evans@sbcglobal.net
• The Johnson County, Kansas guidelines would not work in Oklahoma because the average
income in that county is much higher than any county in Oklahoma.
• If we have alimony support guidelines, it needs to begin with a study conducted by an
Oklahoma university, of what families are making and spending on children, and what the
families are making and spending after divorce.
o Such study could also benefit establishing some updated child support guidelines.

INTERIM STUDY REPORT
Judiciary Committee
Rep. Fred Jordan, Chairman
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Interim Study 11-070, Rep. Emily Virgin
October 17, 2011
Support alimony statutory guidelines
Representative Emily Virgin
emily.virgin@okhouse.gov
• The study concerns the possibility of implementing guidelines when ordering support alimony.
• Introduced the speakers and presenters.
Keith Jones, Attorney at Law
Tulsa, OK
kajoneslaw@gmail.com
• Alimony is discretionary. The test to determine if support alimony is appropriate is whether
there is a need, rationally related to the marriage, and an ability to pay.
• Provided an overview of types of alimony.
o Rehabilitative alimony allows the spouse to rehabilitate themselves, such as going back
to school, in order earn a living.
o Mode of living alimony is awarded to allow a spouse to continue on living as when he
or she were was during the marriage.
• Detailed the Peyraby case which exemplifies the problem with alimony. The case went to the
Supreme Court, but the Court did not establish how to determine a fair amount of support
alimony.
• The problem with alimony in Oklahoma is that citizens have no expectation of what is a
reasonable amount of alimony based on the facts.
• Recommended that a social contract is needed to establish a formula to avoid litigation.
• Johnson County in Kansas has established such guidelines.
Rees Evans, Attorney at Law
Oklahoma City, OK
rees.evans@sbcglobal.net
• The Johnson County, Kansas guidelines would not work in Oklahoma because the average
income in that county is much higher than any county in Oklahoma.
• If we have alimony support guidelines, it needs to begin with a study conducted by an
Oklahoma university, of what families are making and spending on children, and what the
families are making and spending after divorce.
o Such study could also benefit establishing some updated child support guidelines.